Well, we made it to Bangalore, India after 26 hrs of traveling! Everything has been great so far and India is absolutely beautiful! As a squad we have grown a lot closer these last few days so I’m excited for our squad to become like a family! As soon as we arrived at our home for the month, Ravi, Sampson & Mommatha (spelt wrong) had lunch waiting for us. It was very sweet of them to welcome us and make us feel so comfortable. Ravi told us “I know you miss home but be comfortable here because this is your home for the month” They are soooo kind! The people here are very friendly.
So, want to know what its like here and what we have been doing? I haven’t been here long but the food is a lot different (super spicy) and the air smells a lot different haha. The first night here our host called us down stairs for worship and we sang for them then they sang for us in their language. Its amazing how we just met these people and we are a lot different but we have one thing in common,,,and thats Jesus. So far we have gone to a church in a local village and got to share testimonies and pray for people. We also met the pastors family and went to their houses where they offered us cookies and mango juice! So good! We also went to another church but we couldn’t understand what they were preaching.
This month we will be doing a wide variety of things! We have been doing a lot of house visits! In America going house to house to pray for people is umm,,,kinda weird, and people wont answer the door. But here people welcome you in and want prayer. I absolutely love it! Something that has hit me hard is the slums. Old women live in the slums and take care of their children and grandchildren. When we were praying for them I would hold their hand and they would break down crying. Just showing them that we care and love them means so much to them. Explaining these house visits is hard to do. I will post pictures to my facebook. Also this month, we are working with women and children who have been rescued from being temple prostitutes and we are hanging out with them and doing crafts! Please keep us in your prayers while doing this, pray that we will be a light to them and that they see Jesus through us.
I can’t wait to post more of what we are doing but I just wanted everyone to know that we arrived and we are safe! 🙂 I am making a video of all the things we are doing and I will post at the end of the month! 🙂
Fun facts about India—
1. Sitting with the soles of your feet facing up is very disrespectful
2. India is 9.5 hrs ahead of Mobile
3. India has government schools because there are so many children
4. They drive on the opposite side of the road
5. Power goes out daily
6. They can make up any type of “god” they want
7. Showing knees/ankles/and shoulders is not ok at all! But showing your stomach is perfectly fine
8. There are over 20 different languages spoken
9. 60 rupees = $1
10. 60% of India’s population is under the age of 30!
11. While walking to the cafe to to get wifi, I pass 5 temples.. America is spoiled when it comes to wifi haha
12. We are vegetarians this month because they dont eat much meat.
13. Instead of wearing wedding rings, women here wear a necklace and toe ring
Thank you all so so so much for your support and prayers! If you have any questions at all about what we are doing or even just about India please ask! 🙂
-Kristen Phillips
